Users of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO Often faced with a situation where the lock screen begins to show random images that automatically change with each turn on the device. Known as the Wallpaper Carousel or Wallpaper Gallery, this feature is designed to diversify the visual experience, but for many it becomes a source of annoyance, especially if advertising or unwanted content appears at the wrong time. You can get rid of this intrusive function, but the disconnection process can vary depending on the version of the shell. MIUI or a new HyperOS.
In this guide, we will go into detail all the ways to fully deactivate changing wallpaper and return a static image to the lock screen. We will look at the standard methods of disabling through system settings, working with the theme, as well as deeper methods of cleaning these applications if the standard paths do not work. Understanding how the theme system in the Xiaomi shell works will help you not only solve the current problem, but also flexibly adjust the interface in the future.
Before you start, it's important to determine which mechanism is generating the change in your imagery, whether it's the built-in wallpaper carousel feature, a third-party theme downloaded from the store, or the work of widgets. Diagnosing the source of the problem is the first step to a successful solution that will save you time and nerves. In the next sections, we'll walk through all possible scenarios Step-by-step.
Disabling the wallpaper carousel through system settings
The most common and safe way to remove changing images is to use a built-in switch in the screen settings menu. In recent versions of Xiaomi shells, this option is often hidden inside the lock screen submenu. You need to unlock the device and go to the main settings menu by finding the Lock Screen or Always On screen and Lock screen.
Once you log in, find an option called Wallpaper Carousel, Wallpaper Gallery, or Wallpaper Change, which is the mechanism that downloads new images from the Internet. The switch should be active if you have changing images. Just click on it to put it inactive. The system may request confirmation of action or suggest you choose a static image instead.
If the images continue to change after switching the toggler, an additional option may be activated: “Receive content automatically.” Make sure that the slider opposite this item is also turned off. Some versions of MIUI require you to additionally click on the gear next to the function name and uncheck the “Recommendations” or “Update Subscription”.
☑️ Checking screen settings
It is worth noting that depending on the regional firmware (Global, China, EEA), the names of items may differ slightly, for example, in Chinese versions, the function may be called Glance or have a logo of a third-party service. If you can not find the desired item, try searching by settings by entering the word "Carousel" or "Wallpaper".
Change the theme of design for resetting the blocker
Often, the cause of intrusive advertising and shifting images is not a system function, but an established theme. Many free themes in the official Themes store contain a built-in carousel that activates immediately after the theme is applied, and to check this, you need to temporarily switch to the standard theme of the device.
Open the Themes app on your smartphone. Go to the user profile (usually the person icon in the lower right corner) and select My Themes. Find a theme called Classic, Default, or Standard, and click Apply. This action will reset all visual settings, including the lock screen, to factory state.
⚠️ Note: After applying a standard theme, all your custom icons and fonts can return to their original appearance. Don't worry, you can re-apply your favorite theme, but before you turn off the carousel function in it, if the author provides this option.
If you go back to the classic theme, it's just a third-party theme, and you can keep using it, but be prepared to re-enable the carousel, so you'd better look for an alternative theme without built-in advertising, or modify the current theme editor if you have the skills.
Why do topics contain a carousel?
It is important to understand that some system themes may also have their own background update settings, so even after returning to the standard, it is recommended to recheck the lock screen settings described in the previous section to avoid double activation of functions.
Removing updates and cleaning app data Topics
In cases where simple switches don’t work or the wallpaper carousel feature is not on the menu, but the images continue to change, you need to resort to more radical methods. Often this process is responsible for the system application “Themes” or a separate service Mi Credit / Mi Video, which has access to the lock screen.
To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Topics app in the list. Click on it and select Memory. Here you will need to click Clear and select Clear All or Delete Data. Don't worry, your personal themes downloaded earlier will remain in your memory, but their display settings will reset.
It's also worth checking Wallpaper or Wallpaper if it's on the system process list, and the way it works is the same: we find the application, we go to memory, we clean the data, and this action will forcefully stop any background processes that are responsible for downloading images from the network.
| Action. | The way is on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Clearing the cache | Applications → Topics → Memory → Clean the cache | Delete temporary files, securely |
| Data resetting | Applications → Topics → Memory → Delete data | Return of theme settings to factory |
| Removal of updates | Apps → Topics → Three Points → Remove Updates | Recurring the application version to the factory |
| Disabling notifications | Applications → Topics → Notifications → Turn off all | Termination of pop-up communications |
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If the Themes app automatically updates again after cleaning the data and the problem comes back, try disabling the auto-update apps in the Google Play Store or Mi GetApps for that particular component.
Once you've done this, it's recommended that you restart the device, and when you turn on, the system will reinitiate the registration services, and it's likely that the obsessive merry-go-round will stop functioning, and if that hasn't worked, maybe the problem lies deeper in the system's access rights.
Configure access rights and application permissions
Modern versions of Android and their shells allow for flexible application rights management. Wallpaper change cannot work without proper network and storage permissions. Limiting these rights can be an effective way to block unwanted activity without removing system components.
Go back to the application management menu and select "Themes" or "Wallpaper." Go to "Application Permissions." Here you're interested in items related to Internet access (Wi-Fi and Mobile Network) and storage access. Try to deny the app access to the network. Without the Internet, it will not physically be able to download new images for the carousel.
However, be careful: restricting system applications can lead to unstable interfaces, such as icons that stop loading or fonts that are not displayed correctly, so this method is recommended as a temporary solution or if you do not plan to change the design often.
⚠️ Note: Disabling the Internet for Xiaomi’s Mi Account (Mi Service) system services may disrupt cloud sync and device search. Use this method with caution, barring access to only specific design components.
It’s also worth checking the AutoRun section in battery or security settings. If the Themes or Wallpaper app has autoruption permission, it will start immediately after the phone is turned on, triggering upgrade processes. Disabling autoruption for these components will help prevent the content from being imposed.
Use of third-party launchers and blockers
If the built-in system to remove the changing wallpaper is not possible, you can resort to the help of third-party software. Installing an alternative launcher (desktop shell) often allows you to completely ignore the system settings of the lock screen Xiaomi, replacing them with their own, more controlled counterparts.
Popular launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher give you complete control over the look of the device. Once you install such a launcher, you can adjust static wallpaper and forget about the carousel. However, it is worth remembering that a third-party launcher replaces only the desktop, and not always the lock screen.
There are lock-screen applications that completely replace the system shut-off screen to control the lock screen, and they let you set your own rules, passwords, and of course static wallpaper, but using these applications can consume extra battery power, because they have to work in the background all the time.
The advantage of this method is that it is completely independent of the MIUI updates. Even if Xiaomi releases an update that activates the carousel again, the third-party launcher will continue to work according to your rules.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even following the instructions, users may encounter nuances when the feature “resurrects” after a reboot or update. One common reason is sync with Mi Cloud. If you have theme or wallpaper sync enabled, the phone can automatically restore the carousel settings from the cloud.
To avoid this, go to the Mi Account settings, select “Mi Cloud” and find the sync section. Make sure that items related to the theme or lock screen are disabled. Also check if the tick on “Sync System Settings” is correct.
Another problem is widgets, where users sometimes install a Photo or Gallery widget on the home screen or lock screen (if the widgets are supported there) thinking it's just a picture. In fact, a widget like this can function as a slideshow. Check the widgets installed and delete the ones that are responsible for showing the photos.
⚠️ Note: When you reset your data to the factory (Hard Reset) all your data will be deleted.Be sure to back up your contacts, photos and important documents before performing this procedure.
If nothing works, the last resort is to completely reset the device to factory settings. Before resetting, do not restore a backup of the system settings, but create the device as new, and this is guaranteed to eliminate any software errors that cause incorrect interface behavior.
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Integrated approach: most often the problem is solved by a combination of actions: disabling the carousel in the settings + changing the theme to the standard + cleaning the data of the Theme application.